Notes about your surroundings

A Grand Canyon--Access to the Laguna Coast Wilderness and Irvine Co. Open Space Reserve is now available every Saturday.

Naturalists provide wildlife information while leading hikes through canyons featuring oak woodland. The reserve encompasses 17,000 acres set aside to protect species such as the California gnatcatcher and mule deer. The oak and sycamore woodlands include 300-year-old coast live oaks surrounded by elderberry, gooseberry and wild rose.

Entrance and tours are free, but because of limited space, reservations are required.

To make reservations, call county Ranger Larry Sweet at (714) 854-7108 or the Nature Conservancy at (714) 832-7478.

Calling Birders--Interested in joining the National Audubon Society? All it costs is $20 a year.

Orange County has three local Audubon chapters. Each offers year-round field trips to Southern California’s wilderness areas. To receive more information on joining the National Audubon Society, contact:

* Laguna Hills Audubon Society, Membership Chair, P.O. Box 2652, Laguna Hills, CA 92654 or call (714) 951-6932.

* South Coast Audubon, Membership Chair, P.O. Box 4059, San Clemente, CA 92674-4059 or call (714) 498-4407.

* Sea & Sage Audubon Society, P.O. Box 25, Santa Ana, CA 92702, or call (714) 261-7963.